Every
Saturday from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, we had garden activities in our office. It was a
special time when we all came together to take care of our place and enjoy
working in the garden.
We started this activity to involve everyone on our team. It helped us work together and build good relationships. We wanted everyone to feel equal and connected. We also wanted to take care of our space by growing plants and keeping it clean and green.
What We Did:
Each
Saturday, our team organized and carried out different garden activities. We
planned the tasks together and supported each other in doing them. We watered
the plants, sowed spinach seeds based on the weather, collected flower seeds,
and planted saplings in different places. We also arranged for small fixing
work to improve the garden, like setting up the space and taking care of the
tools.
We harvested spinach and tomatoes from our garden. We cooked them in our office kitchen and shared the meals. It felt like “grow food” – and that made us happy, proud, and excited to do more.
A
Special Time:
Every
Saturday gave us a new experience. We learned, shared, and enjoyed nature
together. It made us feel peaceful and connected. I’m thankful for these
moments and excited to continue.
This
activity didn’t just help grow plants—it helped us grow as individuals and as a
team. It made our office feel more alive and like a second home.
We
thank every team member for being part of this journey. Your support, energy,
and care made it all possible. Together, we made something beautiful happen.
This year, Auroville joined people around the world in celebrating the International Day of Yoga on June 21st, a special day declared by the United Nations in 2014. Two events were held on June 20th and 21st, and I had the opportunity to participate in both. It was a joyful and meaningful experience for me.
Day 1: Surya
Namaskar Challenge
20 June, 6:30 AM | Dehashakti Sports Ground
Many people came together early in the morning at the sports ground for
the Surya Namaskar Challenge. There were three levels to choose from:
Beginner (Ārambhakaḥ): 21 Surya Namaskars
Intermediate (Madhyamaḥ): 54 Surya Namaskars
Advanced (Pravīṇaḥ): 108 Surya Namaskars
I was happy to see children from schools around Auroville taking part.
Their energy and interest were inspiring. I felt tired after doing the Surya
Namaskars, but I also felt strong, fresh, and peaceful inside.
This event made me realize how important it is to take care of our body
and mind. I now want to practice yoga every day, even if just for a short time.
Day 2: International Day of Yoga Celebration
21 June, 5:30–7:00 AM | Amphitheatre, Matrimandir
The next morning, we gathered at the beautiful Amphitheatre near the
Matrimandir. The place was silent and peaceful. As the sun came up, we
practiced yoga together. It was a special feeling to do yoga in this sacred
place with people of all ages.
It was not just about exercise—it was also about connecting with ourselves, being still, and breathing mindfully. I felt very calm and full of positive energy afterward.
Reflection:
Sandhiya Balaanand- What
I Take Away
My name is Sandhiya Balaanand, and I stand for Courage, care, and
Happiness for myself and others. I notice that participating in both events was
not only rejuvenating but also a personal awakening. Watching the younger
generation participate and interact with such sincerity gave me hope.
These two days reminded me that yoga is not just for one day. It can be
a daily habit to help us stay healthy and happy.
I want to thank Nilima and Muthukumari from AVPEB and the Marathon Yoga
Team for organizing these events. It was wonderful to be part of them.
I also saw how much children enjoyed and learned from the sessions. It
gave me hope for the future—when young people understand the value of yoga,
they grow stronger and wiser.
Sivaguru Prasath:
My name is Sivaguru Prasath and i stand for courage, full potential and Equanimity for myself and others. Being part of the Yoga Day events in Auroville made me feel fresh, calm, and more connected with myself. Seeing so many children and people join inspired me to practice yoga every day, even if just for a few minutes. Yoga is not just for one day—it’s a way to live better every day
Ajay:
My name is Ajay and I stand for self awareness for myself and others. Attending the Surya Namaskar Challenge and the International Yoga Day in Auroville was amazing. On Day 1, doing Surya Namaskars with kids around was energizing—it reminded me how movement connects us. Day 2 at the Matrimandir was peaceful and spiritual. Practicing yoga in that space made me feel calm and centered. These two days showed me how yoga strengthens both body and mind. Now, I feel inspired to continue yoga daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Students from AIAT College have been interning with C3streamland for about two months. During this period, they were assigned various tasks, including the installation of security cameras around the campus.
For this activity, they selected specifications that meet the campus’s security needs, covering areas such as the outdoors, kitchen exterior, and dormitory areas. As part of the project, they listed the necessary components and identified vendors to request quotations. This process allowed them to engage in external partner communication and selection as part of their internship experience. They chose the vendor offering the best quotation, purchased the required items, and handled the configuration themselves before installation.
To install the security cameras, they planned cable routing across all three buildings and dug small trenches between the buildings to lay the cables. They completed the digging within a day and installed PVC pipes both underground and along the building walls—inside and outside—with guidance from mentors. This was done without disturbing the existing infrastructure.
They successfully completed the camera wiring. The entire project took about three days. Throughout the process, the students learned about material selection, vendor evaluation, project planning, installation, and setting up a security system.
Students from AIAT College have been interning at C3STREAM Land Designs for about two months. During this time, they have been learning not only software development but also gaining hands-on experience with hardware—understanding how systems work and how to troubleshoot them.
A problem occurred with one of the laptops in STEM Land: it couldn’t be opened because the top panel hinge had become tight and eventually broke.
Previously, we would either call a service technician or take the laptop to a service centre. Replacing the top panel typically costs around ₹4000 or more, depending on the laptop model.
However, one of the interns, Ranjith, came up with an idea to fix it using Araldite super glue, which costs around ₹70. With this, we were able to successfully repair the laptop, and it has been working well since.
Two weeks later, another laptop in STEM Land faced the same issue. We used the remaining glue from the previous repair and fixed it successfully as well.
This experience highlighted how mentorship, combined with learning from both, can help an organization see the bigger picture and solve problems at minimal cost.
-SandhiyaBala, Pratap, Sivaguru, Ajay I, Tamil, Preethi P, Kethsiyaal and Kugan
Hands-on Learning with C3STREAM Land Design at AIAT Campus
C3STREAM Land Design organized an exciting Electronics Workshop at the AIAT Campus this summer. It was one of three hands-on workshops offered during the summer of 2025. Each workshop had 30 participants, and sessions were conducted in English, with Tamil language support where needed.
The workshop ran for
five days, from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM. It was
completely free and open to participants aged 13 years and above. Upon
completion, every learner received a Certificate. The only requirement was a
basic understanding of mathematics, like simple calculations.
Before we began each daily session of the
Electronics Workshop – 2025, we practiced Radical Transformational Leadership
(RTL) tools. These tools helped us become more aware of our thoughts, feelings,
and actions, and supported us in living our core values like courage, care,
responsibility, and curiosity.
This practice helped
us come to the sessions with a clear mind, an open heart, and a strong
intention to learn. It was a powerful way to start the day—not just for
learning electronics, but also for growing as individuals.
RTL tools reminded us that learning is not just about knowledge, but also about becoming the best version of ourselves.
We started by
discussing why electronics might feel difficult and how to learning them. We
learned key concepts such as:
Charge (Ah)
Voltage (V)
Current (I)
Power (VA)
Energy (VAh)
To make it easier to
understand, we used a water analogy. For example, we compared the charge
to the amount of water, and the voltage to water pressure. We also explored how
to check the current of a mobile battery using its capacity.
We recall previous
session topics, electronics, and chose to learn with interest. We were
introduced to the multimeter, a tool that helps measure:
Resistance
Voltage
Connectivity
We even measured our body resistance, first without and then with conducting gel. We used a fun device called Makey Makey to explore conductivity and also began learning about LEDs.
We continued learning about LEDs and how to connect them with resistors. We built circuits using LEDs in series and parallel. Then, we practiced soldering and desoldering—skills needed to work with real electronic components.
Then, we built a circuit using a transistor and LED. We also built a charger circuit on a breadboard using a 9V transformer, diodes, a capacitor, and a LM7805 voltage regulator IC. We were introduced to Every Circuit, a website where we can design and simulate circuits.
We explored the
difference between AC and DC, and learned about AC RMS voltages like 230V and
440V. Then, we built the charger circuit again to better understand how each
component works together.
By the end of the
workshop, many of us who once feared electronics gained confidence and a
clearer understanding of how electronic systems work. We built real circuits,
used real tools, and had real fun!
This hands-on workshop helped us realize that learning electronics is not only possible, but also exciting and empowering.
Here are the reflections from our
organizing team members,
Sivaguruprasath:
My name is Sivaguruprasath, and I stand for
Courage, full potential, and equanimity for myself and others. While guiding
the children on the team, I noticed that I am responsible for their growth and
learned to be consistent and perseverance.
SandhiyaBala:
My name is SandhiyaBala, and I stand for
courage, care, and happiness for myself and others. I learnt many things from
the participants. I have learnt real-life theory and experimented with those
things in the workshop. Making circuits for a mobile charger, soldering, and
desoldering the PCB board.
Kethsiyaal:
My name is Kethsiyaal, I stand for kindness
and courage for myself and others. During the electronics workshop, I had the
valuable opportunity to support children in learning the fundamentals of
electronics. This experience was both enriching and refreshing, as it allowed
me to engage with electronics. As a team, we built a cell phone charger. I
guided the children in identifying components like resistors, capacitors,
diodes, and voltage regulators, while also encouraging them to ask questions
and experiment safely. This experience was how it helped me recall and apply my
foundational knowledge in basic electronics.
Tamil:
My name is Tamil. I stand for courage and
compassion for myself and others.
In the electronics workshop, I learned how
to make a mobile charger. It made me feel curious and excited to learn more.
First, I learned about the different parts used in a charger, like diodes,
capacitors, transformers, and the IC. I understood how each part works and how
they all connect together to make the charger function.
I also learned how to solder and desolder,
which are important skills in electronics. Using tools like the analyzer and
oscilloscope helped me see how the circuit works in real time. These hands-on
activities helped me understand the subject better than just reading from a
book. The best part was when we finished building the charger and tested it by
charging a mobile phone — and it worked! That moment made me feel very proud,
confident, and excited to learn even more in the future. This workshop showed
me that I can build useful things with my own hands, and it made me more
interested in electronics.
Ajay:
My name is Ajay, and I am passionate about
fostering self-awareness in myself and others. While preparing for a workshop,
I learned new skills, including soldering and desoldering components, as well
as the basics of electronics, such as using a multimeter, function generator,
and oscilloscope. I applied these skills to build my mobile charger using a
bridge rectifier. During the workshop, I shared my knowledge with others, helping
them understand circuits.
Preethi P:
My name is Preethi P. I stand for courage and happiness for myself and others. In the electronic workshop, I learnt about basic electronic concepts like voltage, current, power, energy, LED, resistor/resistance, capacitor, and how to find the amount of current the app is being used. How to use a multimeter, soldering, and desoldering. while doing soldering, the children were engaged and enthusiastic. We build chargers at the end of the workshop. This work gave me a lot of basics about electronics and how to handle children.
Kugan:
My name is Kugan I stand equality for my self and others. the sessions were engaging and provided valuable insights. The students displayed a keen interest and actively participated in discussions, which enriched the learning experience for everyone involved.
Every week, around 25 students from Sanfort International
School will visit STEMLand to explore STEM activities. The school is a part of Sanvi
Educational and Charitable Trust, which focuses on improving the well-being
of marginalized groups, particularly differently abled children, the elderly
and women. They offer educational support, care, and vocational training to
empower these individuals and promote social inclusion.
On April 12, students got to explore some fun interesting
activities based on Electronics lead by SivaSankar.
To understand how a DC motor works, we did a fun activity using simple and easily available materials like batteries, enamel wires, and magnets. In a group of five, students enjoyed experimenting with the batteries and magnets. With help from their team members, they got the motor to work. They felt proud and accomplished because they made something that runs using just a few basic items.
As a reflection on what they did, the students wrote down the steps of the process and explained how it worked. They were also curious to learn more—asking questions like how it works, where they could find these materials, and what the names of the different parts were.
In the next activity, they made an electromagnet using
electric current. They also connected this new learning to the previous DC
motor activity.
These two hands-on activities inspired the children to build
things and wonder about how everyday objects (like their toys) work. Since the
activities were done by the students themselves, we saw that both boys and
girls enjoyed them equally.
Reflections:
SivaSankar:
Helping students build a simple DC motor was a really fun and eye-opening
experience. We used everyday things like enamel wire, magnets, and batteries,
and it was amazing to see how they worked together to make the motor spin. This
showed us how electricity and magnets can create movement, which is the basic
idea behind electromagnets. Seeing the students so excited when their motors
actually worked reminded me how fun and powerful hands-on learning can be. It
made science feel real and easy to understand. This activity showed that even
simple materials can teach big ideas and help students enjoy learning.
IlakyaArasi:
I realised that I need to have a curious mind to enjoy anything, without that I
won’t really care to know why or how something is happening and that will stop
me from growing. I realised that all of us have it with us, it just need to be
induced for a child to grow and learn efficiently.
Ajai:
My name is Ajai.D. I stand for equality for myself and others. When I work with
children I feel connected with them. When I work with them I notice While we
were working on our hands-on project, they weren’t able to do perfectly at the
beginning. However, they kept working on it persistently, making adjustments
and trying different approaches until the project was successful. By doing the
project themselves they gain deeper understanding. Watching children work like
this reminds me that learning is a process, not a one-time event. They taught
me to be more open-minded, curious, and determined in my own work too.
NithyaSandhosh:
My name is Nithyasandhosh. I deeply care about kindness and equality for myself
and for others. Recently, I supported a Saturday activity with Sanfort
international school children. I taught them how to build a DC motor and
explained its working principle. While teaching, I learned when children are
introduced to new concepts in a way that allows them to explore and play, they
stay engaged and focused. They don’t get distracted easily. Playful learning not only helps children understand
complex ideas but also fosters curiosity and deep concentration.
Students Reflection:
They shared that it was fun making these activities and they would like to do
it more and learn on the upcoming weeks.
Other activities: After the two activities, students explored some games, rubix cubes and cast puzzles.
STEMland was invited by Plaksha School in Andhra Pradesh for
a three-day session to work with students. The school is growing and focuses on
children’s holistic development and creativity, similar to Auroville. This
marks the fourth school we have visited in the last six months.
During the three-day session, we engaged students in
electronics, visual mathematics, robotics, and leadership activities. We also
explored how technology is value-neutral and how it can be used effectively.
We began our session by helping students discover their
inner values, followed by an activity on calculating electricity bills. As
expected, many students were familiar with electronics, but we realized that
their existing knowledge could sometimes lead to confusion. To address this, we
used visual analogies to explain various electrical concepts, which helped them
understand and calculate their domestic power consumption.
Since we remember more from seeing than just hearing, we
focused on visualizing mathematical concepts to enhance understanding and
retention. Hands-on learning with materials made the process more engaging and
playful. With younger children, we worked on multiplying two numbers using
Diene’s blocks and Polypad. With slightly older students, we explored fractions
using a fraction kit and practiced multiplication with Diene’s blocks.
Students enjoyed learning with these materials and applying
their knowledge on Polypad. As the materials and laptops were limited, they
shared resources with others and handled them with care. When we introduced
electronic activities, it sparked excitement among the students.
On the final day, after a few more electronic activities, we concluded with robotics. With our guidance, students coded using different sensors and programmed robots to follow a mapped path. We wrapped up the session with reflections from the children, who shared their experiences and learnings.
Reflection:
My name is Ilakya
Arasi. I stand for kindness and courage for myself and others. I learnt
that one of the best ways to make someone feel welcomed when the students are
full of excitement to learn new things and love for others. Their curiosity
made us learn from them.
My name is Tamil.
I stand for currage and compassion for my self and others. This session was a
great experience for me. It also helped the children become smarter and kinder.
We did RTL and electronics sessions. The children really enjoyed the
electronics session. They were excited and curious in every session, and they
learned a lot by giving their best effort. Seeing their curiosity and energy
inspired me.
I realized that I also want to learn new things with the same curiosity and
effort. This session taught me the importance of staying curious and giving my
best in everything I learn. It was a valuable experience for both me and the
children.
My name Rajesh
and I stand for care and integrity for myself and others i learnt that teaching
children basic electronics and mathematics in a practical way makes learning
engaging and fun while building a strong foundation for problem-solving and
creativity. By using hands-on activities like simple circuits, LED
experiments, children can grasp
fundamental concepts such as voltage, current, and resistance. Practical math
applications, like measuring voltage, understanding ratios, and using basic
algebra in real-world scenarios, help them see the relevance of mathematics in
everyday life. Encouraging experiments fosters curiosity and innovation. By
blending play with learning, children develop a deeper understanding of
concepts which makes them more confident and eager to explore further.
Sivaguru
Prasath During the 3-day
electronics sessions, we introduced RTL tools such as Stand and Fear, helping
students understand their universal values.
We guided
the children in understanding concepts such as voltage, current, power, energy,
LED, resistor/resistance, potentiometer, and the 7-segment LED. We also gave
them a few activities to complete on their own using the components. The
children were highly enthusiastic, interacted well, and gained clarity on the
concepts. I also noticed that their curiosity and interest motivated us to
teach them beyond the planned concepts. Additionally, we explained mathematical
concepts such as fractions (using the fraction kit) and multiplication (using
Diene’s blocks)
My name is Aarthi,
I stand for equality, integrity and perseverance for myself and others. It’s my first time attending the Andra
workshop. Students are good in communication, we taught electronics, RTL,
Polypad, Snap programming in Finch. Also
we taught Tamil words and they taught hindi words it was very nice. I got a new ideas and good experience from
the workshop.Thank you Sanjeev anna and my team for giving this opportunity. Thankyou.
At STEM Land we each explore our
learning and growth and Auroville presents us many opportunities. A couple of
us participated in the second annual Cyclothon at Auroville, where people of
all ages joined together to enjoy cycling. The event was full of energy,
enthusiasm, and a spirit of togetherness. The Auroville Cyclothon was not just
an event. It was a journey one that connected people, nature, and a shared
purpose.
The Cyclothon offered three route
options where the participants could choose from different routes based on
their comfort level. Short Ride (25 km),
Medium Ride (50 km), Long Ride (100 km).
No one rode alone. Even if you came as a single cyclist, you became part of something bigger. Strangers cheered for each other. Volunteers handed out water with a smile. At every stop, there was warmth, support, and encouragement. This is what real progress looks like, not just moving forward, but moving forward together. The Cyclothon ended with deep meaning for us.
Reflections:
Preethi. R
My name is preethi, I stand for kindness and courage for
myself and others. What I learnt from the Auroville Cyclothon was not just
about cycling. It was about learning, growing, and feeling connected—to myself,
to others, and to nature. And most importantly, it reminded me that every
journey is special when I keep moving forward. Reaching the end felt great, but
the best moments were during the ride, I learned that life is not just about
goals. It is about enjoying every moment along the way.
Nithyasandhosh
My name is Nithyasandhosh. I deeply
care about kindness and equality for myself and others. I participated in the
Auroville Cyclothon 2025, a 25-kilometer event. Many people took part in this
event. I was inspired by the organizing team, as they put in their full
potential to make this happen. I thoroughly enjoyed cycling. They also arranged
good food for all participants. After the event, I started cycling on alternate
days. Next year, I plan to inspire my office mates to join the Cyclothon and
share the joy of cycling.
~ Saranya, Kethsiyaal, Poovizhi, Arun Kumar, Sri Bhavani
This team activity takes place every Saturday. We come
together and work as a team. Our team consists of people from different
backgrounds, including software, hardware, Shifuians, B.Voc students, and STEM land.
We have formed teams of six members, each assigned to a
specific area to clean. Our designated cleaning area was located opposite our
office. While working together, we planned to clear a certain section of grass
from the ground. By following our plan, we successfully completed the task.
When we shared a common goal and worked in sync, we were able to stay focused,
clean efficiently, and enjoy the experience of collaborating with teammates
from different fields.
This activity helped us connect with new people and become
more involved in organizational activities.
After cleaning, we returned all the tools to their
designated places. It felt good to take responsibility.
Reflections and observation:
Saranya:
My name is Saranya and I deeply care about perseverance and
happiness for myself and others. When I work with people from different teams,
I see new possibilities. It helps me become more available to others and makes
me more approachable. This experience strengthens team unity.
Kethsiyaal:
My name is
Kethsiyaal, I stand for kindness and wisdom for myself and others. I see
Collaboration & Team Spirit while working on removing unwanted grass as
together on a common task fosters teamwork, strengthens relationships among
colleagues, and creates a shared sense of achievement.
Poovizhi:
Every Saturday, our team spends one hour doing a group
activity. We do gardening, cleaning, or repair work on our campus. This helps
us stay active, work together with team members from different areas, and keep
our campus clean and beautiful.
Last time, we enjoyed spinach for lunch that we harvested
from our own garden. It tasted really good! Growing our own food made us
appreciate the effort behind it, and we felt happy to eat something fresh and
natural.
These activities help us connect with nature, even though we
are engineers working on software and layout design. It also gives us a break
from screens and helps us work together in a different way. We learn new
things, have fun, and feel a sense of satisfaction in improving our
surroundings.
Arun:
Working in the garden taught me the importance of teamwork
and helping each other. Clearing grass, adding compost, and making beds became
easy when we shared the work. I learned that patience and effort give good
results, and even small help matters. Working together gave me joy and made our
bond stronger. This experience showed me that with understanding and support,
we can do any work better.
Sribhavani:
My name is Sri Bhavani. I stand for Love and Equality for
myself and others.
As part of new initiatives this year, everyone in our
organization has stepped forward to support and create gardens around our
campus. Every Saturday, we take part in this activity to make our campus
greener with trees and plants. This also gives team members an opportunity to
work together collaboratively. From this activity, I can see that I am the
change I wish to see when I work with my team. And also I remembered the RTL
tool all the professions have their own value and impact.
